Structural alternatives of high embankment dams

Abstract

At present the types of seepage-control elements made of non-soil materials are worked out for construction of ultra-high embankment dams. We made assessment of workability of a number of new structural designs of seepage-control elements for embankment dams such as concrete core, grout curtain, massive face, combined seepage-control elements. The assessment was made by analyzing the results of numerical modeling of more than 200 m high dam stress-strain state. It was revealed that the most perspective way of constructing high embankment dams is use of combined seepage-control elements. The operative structures are structures consisting of a reinforced concrete face and a vertical structure (like a diaphragm or a curtain), made of clay and cement mix. Use of internal seepage-control elements made of rigid materials in high embankment dams is dangerous.